The memorandum signed in Murmansk opens for cooperation in law enforcement at sea, regional and federal media reports on Monday.
Under the new agreement, the two countries highlight joint efforts to combat terrorism, illegal migration, fighting smuggling of drugs and weapons, as well as stopping illegal fishing, Head of FSB Border Guard Service, Vladimir Kulishov, said to Vesti, the TV news by GTRK Murman.
He explained that Russia had to find new partners as the coast guard cooperation with the seven other Arctic nations is halted.
The Arctic Coast Guard Forum, currently chaired by Russia, had a plan to conduct a joint multilateral maritime exercise this year. With no participants from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Canada and USA, the FSB decided to invite China as an observer, Kulishov said. The exercise takes place out of Murmansk on Tuesday.
Next step will be for China to participate in future exercises.
In a statement recorded by the Defense Ministry’s TV channel Zvezda, the FSB commander added that joint exercises with the Chinese Coast Guard, stipulated in the memorandum, will take place in the near future. Läs arikel